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The effects of climate change are global, ranging from higher temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels, to more frequent weather-related disasters. Climate Change is expected to hit developing countries the hardest, posing risks for agriculture, food, and water supplies in particular. Recent gains in the fight against poverty, hunger and disease, and the lives and livelihoods of billions of people in developing countries are at stake.

Green growth is about advancing economic growth and development without further contributing to climate change, environmental degradation and unsustainable use of natural resources. Essentially, this means economic development accompanied by reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy and resource efficiency and protected biodiversity.

Like many countries, FYR Macedonia faces the dual-challenge of achieving long-term economic growth while simultaneously reducing its contribution to climate change. To support the country in its pursuit of these goals, the World Bank and the Governments of Norway and Sweden are funding a Program that provides technical analysis, training and advice to the Macedonian government.

The Green Growth and Climate Change Analytic and Advisory Support Program, launched in 2011, focuses on job creation, inclusive growth, adaptation to climate change, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and policy reforms and public investments. Building on the Macedonian National Strategy for Sustainable Development (formally adopted in 2010) and commitments towards EU accession, the Green Growth Program is a wide-scale effort that includes studies, analyses, technical assistance and training.

The key objectives of the Program are to support the Macedonian government in:

• Assessing the economic costs and benefits of a shift to greener growth, taking into account projected climate change; and with this knowledge.
  
• Prioritizing for implementation actions identified by the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) and supplemented by the Program¡¯s recommendations.

The main components of the Program are:

• Analysis and modeling: building on existing knowledge and tools, this component will assess key sectors¡¯ role in a green growth strategy. The main sectors are energy, agriculture, water, transport, and urban.

• Technical advice: advisory services to the Government and its agencies, based on the results of conducted analysis and modeling.